I think you nailed it. The movies completely ommited any human struggle other than him taking 2 seconds to get over the latest woman he was screwing before shooting another dozen bad guys while making a joke.
I definitely enjoyed the books more. I never read, The Spy Who Loved Me.
Ian Flemming had a lot of real world content to share at a time when there wasn't a lot available about intelligence. He had an amazing life and was involved in and influenced much of what's still going on today. I don't think people were attracted to his books for his writing style which is nothing special to say the least.
Steve Vai recently said that he would pick him as the best guitarist, if he had to pick one.
The main reason is because he's the only one that he can't figure out.
http://www.guitarworld.com/artist-news/steve-vai-his-favorite-guitarist-its-hard-realize-how-great-he/31568